1) Bioaccumulation can be described as the process of: a gradual build up of a chemical in a living organism. These chemicals that grow inside systems (immune, nervous, and reproductive) of the body do not break down easily, and can be stored there damaging the body for long periods of time.

 

Biomagnification: This process can and IS affecting a big number of consumers at all different trophic levels. As we see in the diagram below, the top predator has the highest concentration of chemicals because it eats many of the organisms in the lower trophic levels.

Example:

We see that the concentration (the dots) goes up each time we put another predator/organism. (Algae has the lowest, Orca has the highest concentration)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) We should be cautious with these 2 processes that take place in many ecosystems. They both can lead to serious pollution & health problems of certain environments. When toxins enter organisms through respiration, ingestion or absorption they can damage the systems of an animal, leading them to death and extinction. It is very hard to get rid once chemicals are released in a body of water, leading them to spread all over the ecosystem. Another reason why we need to take action in this problem is that this effect continues to go up and reach bigger animals, and it is probably already having some sort of effect on us as humans. We ingest many of these organisms, and swim in waters that contain some of these chemicals. (Considering that some of these chemicals have already been banned for years!) They are strong toxins, and are hard to get rid of in an easy way.

 

Here is a diagram that shows all the parts of an ecosystem that are affected by Mercury-

This link shows all the toxins & chemicals that have been banned (updated last in 2014) : http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=0DA2924D-1&wsdoc=4ABEFFC8-5BEC-B57A-F4BF-11069545E434

 

3) We have heard recently more and more about pesticides and herbicides used in agricultural practices, which results in bigger and fuller crops that farmer produce. It has been a controversial subject that I have researched and can now form an opinion on. These chemicals can be very dangerous to the food chain and environments, and should try to be avoided. First of all, once they are sprayed on to crops, they can blow from the wind to other areas such as: streams, in the falling rain, and they can even seep into the soil. When this happens, the bioaccumulation process can start up easily again. Secondly, the pesticides can disrupt the regular & natural balance in ecosystems, which can mess up the food chains. Lastly, they can decrease the biodiversity of an area. The number of different organisms decrease in time.

 

4) There are many chemicals that can bioaccumulate, and many of them have been banned in different parts of the world. Some, have higher and worse effects than others. (Depending on the concentration of each one)

This is a list of them in North America: http://scorecard.goodguide.com/chemical-groups/one-list.tcl?short_list_name=bcc

Different Ways WE Might be Impacting Ecosystems:

 

Chelsea Davis

Science 10 block C Bolton

Bioaccumulation Edublog Post